More than 100 UGA workers retire early

The Arch is the traditional entrance to the University of Georgia campus. It stands at the entrance to historic North Campus from downtown Athens. The Arch’s three columns symbolize “Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation.” (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker, Courtesy University of Georgia)

Atlanta

ATHENS, Ga. -- More than 100 University of Georgia employees retired on Friday, joining the more than 1,700 education workers statewide who retired Dec. 1, reports the Athens Banner-Herald.

The paper reports that the number statewide is about seven times the number of people who normally retire in December - 259 retired in December a year ago, said Jeffrey Ezell, executive director of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia.

Ezell said he believes that many people are retiring a little early to get in under the wire before TRS eliminates an automatic 3 percent jump in annual retirement pay that has been in place for more than 20 years, the Banner-Herald reported. The bump applies only to the first $37,500 in retirement pay - a maximum of $1,125 per year, the paper said.